Immediately thereafter, Bharatsinh applied for information on works done in all wards of Ahmedabad city. As per the information he received, during 2005-2009, people’s representatives allotted Rs five crore to install benches. Bharatsinh raises a pertinent question: “Do our leaders think putting benches worth Rs five crore is synonymous with development?” He has complained to the vigilance department of AMC asking them to investigate the matter.
Ever since BJP won the AMC polls, the number of benches has only increased. TSI contacted businessmen associated with manufacturing and marketing benches in the city. A normal RCC bench costs Rs 1,100 but it can go down to Rs 900-950 if there are bulk orders. A China mosaic bench costs Rs 1,950 which includes transportation and labour.
“If one were to assume that half of the benches were RCC ones and half China mosaic, Rs five crore fetches more than 37,000 new benches,” an NGO worker, who did not want to be named, said. He continued, “Since there were already some benches prior to 2005, it is safe to presume that the city has 40,000 benches which seat 1,60,000 people. When you draw the number against the population of Ahmedabad city which is 40 Lakh, it is way higher than the national average or that in metro or non-metro cities.”
RCC benches are now a passe. Public representatives are opting for China mosaic, iron or steel benches. Nowadays, wherever a new park is being inaugurated, one can find attractive benches with a plaque bearing the name of the local corporator. Many benches lie broken or partially damaged. They have become homes for stray dogs. Some benches have been converted into garbage dumps.
In Bhaipura ward, that falls in chief minister Narendra Modi’s Maninagar constituency, many benches have been installed right outside people’s houses. Some benches have come up in the middle of nowhere. Some benches have been converted into tea or cigarette shops. Other heavyweights are not to be left far behind. In 2008-09, Ranip, Jodhpur and Vastrapur wards which are parts of the constituency of Gandhinagar, MP and BJP stalwart L.K. Advani and Gujarat home minister Amit Shah saw benches coming up at a cost of Rs 12,77,960.
Ever since BJP won the AMC polls, the number of benches has only increased. TSI contacted businessmen associated with manufacturing and marketing benches in the city. A normal RCC bench costs Rs 1,100 but it can go down to Rs 900-950 if there are bulk orders. A China mosaic bench costs Rs 1,950 which includes transportation and labour.
“If one were to assume that half of the benches were RCC ones and half China mosaic, Rs five crore fetches more than 37,000 new benches,” an NGO worker, who did not want to be named, said. He continued, “Since there were already some benches prior to 2005, it is safe to presume that the city has 40,000 benches which seat 1,60,000 people. When you draw the number against the population of Ahmedabad city which is 40 Lakh, it is way higher than the national average or that in metro or non-metro cities.”
RCC benches are now a passe. Public representatives are opting for China mosaic, iron or steel benches. Nowadays, wherever a new park is being inaugurated, one can find attractive benches with a plaque bearing the name of the local corporator. Many benches lie broken or partially damaged. They have become homes for stray dogs. Some benches have been converted into garbage dumps.
In Bhaipura ward, that falls in chief minister Narendra Modi’s Maninagar constituency, many benches have been installed right outside people’s houses. Some benches have come up in the middle of nowhere. Some benches have been converted into tea or cigarette shops. Other heavyweights are not to be left far behind. In 2008-09, Ranip, Jodhpur and Vastrapur wards which are parts of the constituency of Gandhinagar, MP and BJP stalwart L.K. Advani and Gujarat home minister Amit Shah saw benches coming up at a cost of Rs 12,77,960.
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